All Hallows’ Eve is just one day away, so it has us thinking of America’s spookiest cities. Near the top of everyone’s list is Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – known for its numerous sightings of the 51,000 soldiers who died in one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. Teeming with ghostly encounters, including those with Confederate General, Robert E. Lee, the city makes for one thrilling Halloween getaway.

If you’re really brave, you’ll post up in one of Gettysburg’s historic inns, which are said to be haunted, or head over to Gettysburg College, once the site of a Civil War field hospital. The town is pegged with so many hauntings it will have you shaking in your boots! But, like any good city, there’s more to Gettysburg than fabled soldier tales, sallow figures, and those spooky orbs that make themselves known in ghost hunter photos.

For this week’s Splurge vs. Steal, we found two fantastic Gettysburg homes, each with head-turning interiors and exceptional locations, but with price points that really set them apart. Which one would you choose, the Abbottstown Victorian splurge or the Log Home Living steal? We would love to hear in the comments.(more…)

Our Splurge: 1 Daniels Street, Salem, Massachusetts, is listed by the Merry Fox Team of Merry Fox Realty for $610,000.

Who is ready for the popped corn, the bat brownies, the fabulous return of Hocus Pocus on repeat? Well, then it shouldn’t take long to figure out why we selected Salem, Massachusetts for our latest Splurge vs. Steal.

Need a Hocus Pocus refresh? Here goes, courtesy of Wikipedia:

After moving to Salem, Mass., teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) explores an abandoned house with his sister Dani (Thora Birch) and their new friend, Allison (Vinessa Shaw). After dismissing a story Allison tells as superstitious, Max accidentally frees a coven of evil witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) who used to live in the house. Now, with the help of a magical cat, the kids must steal the witches’ book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal.

Thus, comedy, sibling rivalry, and teenage love ensues. We love a cult classic this time of year! And speaking of classic, the historic town of Salem affords more than witch trials and its annual Halloween Ball. Salem is a seaside city nestled on the northern coast of Massachusetts. It’s famous for its 1692 witch trials, but has come a long way since. There’s oodles of authentic New England charm, gorgeous lighthouses, eerie museums, historic homes, and more! In fact, today we feature two historic beauties in our latest Splurge vs. Steal that truly capture the spirit of the fall. Take a look!

Off-the-beaten-path beaches, tranquil turquoise waters, epic surfing, and an island steeped in historical culture — these are but a few reasons why Oahu, Hawaii, is calling your name!

The third largest Hawaiian island is the cross-section of ancient and modern, complete with bustling night life and mellow surfer towns. With five different regions — from the island’s capital, Honolulu, to one of the world’s most popular surfing destinations at North Shore — Oahu has something for everyone and no shortage of things to do.

This week’s Splurge vs. Steal puts the spotlight on a massive oceanfront splurge and a cozy beach cottage steal. Which one would you choose?

Real estate can surprise you in unexpected ways. Such is the case in Oakland, California. Movers and shakers in the industry are suddenly seeing the Oakland housing market transform. Prices keep going up, demand continues to surge, and a nice crop of wonderfully updated older homes and new construction beauties are changing the face of Oakland as we know it. So this week, we zeroed in on two fantastic Oakland offerings for our latest Splurge vs. Steal. Why Oakland you ask? We say, why not?

Our Steal: 327 Fletcher Schoolhouse Road, Woodstock, Vermont, is currently listed by Carol Wood of Williamson Group Sotheby’s International Realty for $2.7 million.

What’s better than a year-round destination offering picturesque beauty and timeless New England charm? How about being centrally located on the banks of the Ottauquechee River and at the crossroad of the Vermont Scenic Byway? Add some Windsor County Green Mountain views, and it’s easy to see why today’s Splurge vs. Steal is situated in idyllic Woodstock, Vermont. We’ve located two incredible Woodstock retreats, both with impressive acreage and stunning architectural styles but with price points that are miles apart. Which one would you choose? The hilltop classic splurge or the charming Bybrook Farm steal? Be sure to let us know in the comments!

Our Splurge: Mariposa Ranch and Equestrian Center, Taos, New Mexico is currently listed by David Fries of Sotheby’s International Realty Santa Fe for $2,900,000.

Town or country? In this week’s Splurge vs. Steal it’s hard to choose. That’s because we are taking you to Taos, New Mexico – one of America’s foremost art colonies, where high desert living meets historic adobe architecture and breathtaking Sangre de Cristo Mountain views. For this reason, we zeroed in on two exceptional Taos retreats, each with impressive locations, architecture, and amenities, but with price points that are miles apart. Which one would you choose, the sprawling Equestrian splurge or the in-town adobe steal? Be sure to let us know in the comments.

With autumn just around the corner, everyone has pumpkins, fall hikes, and vibrant fall foliage on the brain. What better way to experience the unrivaled beauty of fall with a getaway to Colorado’s own Beaver Creek – an exclusive enclave located in the Vail Valley that offers four seasons of nature-filled recreation. Don’t believe us?

For second home buyers who want luxury, convenience, and world-class recreation all rolled into one, this mountain hotspot can’t be beat! Check out what’s currently on the market in our latest Splurge vs. Steal and tell us which one you’d rather buy – the ski-in/ski-out splurge or the woodland oasis steal?

Whale-watching, world-class cuisine, and quaint New England charm? It’s no wonder Kennebunkport draws all types to indulge in its idyllic, coastal way of life. Located in Southern Maine, Kennebunkport is revered for its strong sense of community, waterfront recreation, and picturesque beauty, making it the perfect place to vacation or retire. Just ask the Bushes, whose very own Walker’s Point is quietly nestled on the banks of the Atlantic Ocean in Kennebunkport, Maine.

As the summer home of President George H.W. Bush and the late First Lady Barbara Bush, it has been visited by presidents, foreign heads of state, and celebrities alike, but you don’t need deep pockets to live the coveted Kennebunkport lifestyle. Case in point, our latest Splurge vs. Steal, where we highlight two exceptional Kennebunkport properties, each with sought-after locations and stunning architecture, but with price points that are miles apart. Which one would you choose, the sprawling Cape Cod splurge or the marsh-view Mansard steal? In Kennebunkport, there’s truly something for everyone.